Our Team will Surpass Your Excellency’s Expectations, Alli Assures Edo Gov

The newly appointed Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Yussuf Alli has assured the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and the good people of the state that the team selected by His Excellency to turn around sports in Edo State will surpass his expectations and that of the people.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the board’s inauguration Alli said the team assembled by Governor Obaseki will turn around sports anywhere.

“The team selected by His Excellency shows that he places a premium on merit above other consideration, and on behalf of our team I am assuring the good people of Edo State that we will surpass their expectation and that of the Governor”

While inaugurating the team on Friday Governor Obaseki, said:

“Yussuf Alli, the Chairman of the Edo Sports Commission has excelled, both locally and internationally. In Edo, we have to catch them young in sports. Almost a million of our young generation are under the age of 12. We must rethink sports and catch them young.

“Forty years ago, government regulated, operated and participated in sports, putting all the resources required into sports. Our emphasis today, as a government, is to continue to provide policy direction for sports.”

Noting that there’s a lot of money outside government to finance and sustain sports, the Governor said his administration is redesigning the state’s sports policy and creating new laws to regulate sports, and bring capable and competent persons to help manage sports in the state.

He further noted, “Edo State can start now to prepare for a global market in sports by identifying young talents in schools and catching them young. In five years’ time, the state can train about 10,000 to 20,000 talents and if 1,000 of these talents become global stars, the state will benefit greatly.”

“I am glad you have accepted to serve but I advise you to separate politics from sports if we must succeed in our plans. We should excel in all areas of sports as we continue to invest in sports development.”

In his words, the Chairman thanked the Governor and his Deputy Phillip Shaibu and promised that “our team will give the Governor and the good people of Edo State the best”.

“In the history of this country, there has not been a aboard as big as this, that’s an assurance that you want sports raised in the state.”

“I want to assure you that this group will its best to reposition Edo Sports to its rightful top position.”

Apart from Alli, other board members are Sabina Amiemenoghena Chikere (Permanent Secretary Edo State Sports Commission and Secretary to the Board),  Frank Ilaboya, Anehita Emeya,  Osayaba Osareren, Asue Ighodalo ( Chairman, Skye Bank Plc),  Uyi Akpata and Emmanuel Igbinosa.